Helpful hints…PLEASE read this and refer to it once the measurements are done so you can double check your measurements.

 #1 –This will always be larger than their jeans size waist since it’s measured over the jeans.  I make the chaps so that the top of them just touches the belt bottom since things below the waist tend to rise when seated.

 #1A – This measurement needs to equal the sum of measurements #6  plus   #7.

 #2 – Around the top of the upper thigh.  For men, make them empty their pockets first! 

 #3 – If unsure about where halfway is,  just let me know how many inches below where you took the upper thigh measurement.  If this is someone with unusually large mid-thighs, try and get the actual halfway point.

 #4 – Make sure they will have enough “give” to bend the knee to get on the horse.

 #5 – Once you take this one, shimmy the tape down over the boot top to make sure we don’t have to have it wider to fit over the boot top.  Mostly, this is needed for the young gals.

 #6 – I “eyeball” this one.  I place the top of the tape measure at the bottom of their belt buckle (for the “dip” on the front of the chaps) and hold the tape straight up and down and take the measurement at the very top of where the legs come together where I see daylight between the legs. 

 #7 – Hold your finger on the knee so you can start the #9 measurement exactly where you left off on this one.

 #8 – Self explanatory.  I normally add 3 ½” to this outseam measurement for the heel drop.  Fringe will be cut on an angle, so this will be long enough.        

 #9 – From the ending point on measurement #8, straight down to the top of the foot, below the arch—I use the top of the foot where the toes start.   This is for the “boot cutout” at the front of the foot.

#7 + #9 should add up to within 2” of the inseam measurement—it will depend on the boot sole thickness and the thickness of the foot….Also--the sum of measurements # 7 and # 9 CANNOT be more than measurement # 10.  

 #10 – Another self explanatory one.  If you will subtract the inseam number from the outseam number, you should get close to the same number as measurement #6 (the rise).  You shouldn’t have more than a 1” increase.  Example, if the outseam is 40 and the inseam is 31, this gives you a 9” rise.  Measurement #6 should be about 8”….the front rise is normally a little shorter than the side rise since our jeans tend to be lower in the front than on the sides.  Make sure the person is standing with the feet pretty close together when you do the inseam.  If they have their feet spread apart, it may shorten the inseam measurement.

 I normally add ½” to leg/waist measurements you will give me, for ease of fitting.  Sometimes men do not want their chaps to be really snug.  If so, let me know and I will adjust accordingly.   For young kids, I can make the chaps without a cuff on the bottom, so when they add height, I can add a cuff at that time.  Let me know if they like that idea, or if they prefer a cuff from the start.

 If you notice any potential fitting problems, due to a person’s build, note that on the order form.  For kids, ask their age—that helps me.